The Immunity of the Soul
I'm writing from the safety and relative comforts of my bedroom, where I've been spending most of my time these past 2 weeks of partial lockdown. Our generation has not seen this much distress before. Today, the US estimates that, deaths due to the Covid-19 virus could hit figures between 100,000 to 200.000. This a war against an invisible enemy: 'World War V(irus)'.
A lot of people are worried over their jobs and the loss of income. I am grateful to have a roof over my head and food on the table and a good internet connection to continue doing my work. Our frontliners in the medical and law enforcement profession are bravely fighting the virus and keeping order in the streets, while we languish helplessly at home. I also pity countries like India, a country with 1.3 billion people, which is now undergoing lockdown. Where are the homeless and jobless supposed to go? Are they to be left on the streets to die without food, if not being infected by the virus?
Even if the body is well-fed and sheltered, there is still the problem of mental health. Those who are prone to depression could be especially vulnerable, now with financial and health worries piling on. The stress of being cooped up at home with family members could also trigger an outbreak of pent-up emotions. Many families last as long as they do because members keep an optimal 'socal distance' between each other. The husband knows when to avoid the wife by working late; the wife uses the kids as a diversion and shield from the internal frustrations that have built up over the years. Families are emotional crucibles which make or break us. The late spiritual teacher Ram Dass has a famous quote: "If you think you are enlightened, go spend a week with your family".
A family is a karmic system where each member's individual karmic energy are forced to interact within a given boundary condition in space and time. We are all bundles of karmic energy and in our daily intercourse with others, we rub off each other in both positive and negative ways. We feel the pain and pleasure of relationships and by riding through them, we gain valuable insights and lessons. Only when these lessons have been assimilated into our souls, do we gain karmic immunity.
It's like immunity against any pathogen. You'll have to be exposed to a disease and recover from it before your body acquires the antibody for immunity against it. Vaccination is the process of introducing a weakened form of the harmful microorganism into the body so that it can activate its immune system to protect itself against it, and in the process learning how to be ready against similar but more lethal pathogens in the future.
Family life immunizes us against harsher pains that we might encounter in our lives. We start families because we are driven by our biological need to preserve our genes. This is an overpowering force that drives us sometimes into reckless actions. And then, there's that ego-driven impulse to achieve something in life: someone to love, a happy family in a nice comfortable home, with bright and beautiful children all growing up to achieve great success in the world. A successful family is something one can be proud of. But behind the facade of it all, is a lot of sweat and tears, because all worldly happiness requires mental, emotional and physical pain in exchange.
While family life provides the crucible for most people to work out their karma, the renunciate has a tougher job because he or she does not get exposed to all the emotional pathogens that come with family life. The renunciate has to work out his immunity from inside out by running simulations in this mind. By observing the workings of its mental antibodies, he gains an understanding of its science, which he then hopes to apply in everyday life. It is a tough path for anyone to follow, and many flounder because they are lulled into a sense of safety by avoiding the world.
So, if you face difficulties in your family life, embrace it with patience and humility. Be grateful that you are only exposed to a 'mild' form of pathogenic disease. Remember, it is your best opportunity to strengthen the immunity of your soul.
